complexity and solution architecture
Post on 17-Oct-2014
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DESCRIPTION
After unnecessary complexity has been reduced from the problem being solved, the scope of the solution to the problem is governed by the complexity of the problem. Complexity is needed to handle and process complexity. Systems acquire or accrete unnecessary complexity over time as originally unforeseen exceptions or changes are incorporated. It may be possible to reduce complexity by collapsing/compressing/combining/consolidating elements and by removing non-value-adding, duplicate, redundant activities. When unnecessary or accreted complexity in the problem being solved has been removed, you are left with necessary complexity that must be incorporated into the solution. Simple problems do not have complex solutions. Complex problems do not have simple solutions. The complexity factor of the proposed solution must match the complexity factor of the problem being resolved. Many system implementation and operational failures arise because of failure to understand and address the core complexity of the problem.TRANSCRIPT
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Complexity and Solution Architecture
Alan McSweeney
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Generalised Solution Architecture
Sub-System 1
Primary Processor
Sub-System 2
Monitor, Audit, Manage
Sub-System 3
Control DataStorage
and Flow
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Generalised Solution Architecture
• Sub-System 1 - performs primary activities, functions that accepts and process inputs, performs transformations and creates and presents outputs, divided into multiple components, implements and actualises processes and activities
• Sub-System 2 - monitors, audits, measures, manages performance and activities of the components of sub-system 1
• Sub-System 3 - controls operation and communication and storage of data between components of sub-system 1 and between sub-system 1 and sub-system 2
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Generalised Solution Architecture
• Useful in defining the components of the solution
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Solution Views
Process View
Processes Enabled and Actualised by Solution and its
Functions
Data View
Range of Data Being Processed/Handled
Result
s Vie
w
What i
s G
enerate
d/
Creat
ed/
Achie
ved/
Outp
ut
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Solution Views And Their Interrelationships
Data View
Range of DataBeing Processed/
Handled
Process View
Processes Enabledand Actualised by
Solution andits Functions
Results View
What is Generated/Created/Achieved
Results Consist of Created or
Transformed Data
Processes Read and
Generate Data
Processes Generate Results
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Process View And Decomposition
Process 1
Activity 1.1 Activity 1.N
Task 1.1.1
Step 1.1.1.1 Step 1.1.1.N
Task 1.1.N Task 1.N.1 Task 1.N.N
Step 1.N.N.1 Step 1.N.N.N
Process N…
…
… …
… …
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Data View And Decomposition
Data Type 1
Data Element 1.1 Data Element 1.N
Data Attribute 1.1.1
Data Attribute Value 1.1.1.1
Data Attribute Value 1.1.1.N
Data Attribute 1.1.N
Data Attribute 1.N.1
Data Attribute 1.N.N
Data Attribute Value 1.N.N.1
Data Attribute Value 1.N.N.N
Data Type N…
…
… …
… …
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Results/Outputs View And Decomposition
Output 1
Output Element 1.1
Output Element 1.N
Output Attribute 1.1.1
Output Attribute Value 1.1.1.1
Output Attribute Value 1.1.1.N
Output Attribute 1.1.N
Output Attribute 1.N.1
Output Attribute 1.N.N
Output Attribute Value 1.N.N.1
Output Attribute Value 1.N.N.N
Output N…
…
… …
… …
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Solution Views
Process View
Data View
Results
Vie
w
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Generalised Decomposition Of Solution Architecture
Sub-System 3
Communication and Storage of
Data
Sub-System 2
Monitor, Audit, Manage
Sub-System 1
Primary Processor
Results View
What is Generated / Created/
Achieved/ Output
Process View
Processes Enabled and Actualised by Solution and Its
Functions
Data View
Range of Data Being Processed/
Handled
Solution Architecture Component
Views
Solution Views
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Necessary And Unnecessary Complexity
• Systems acquire or accrete unnecessary complexity over time as originally unforeseen exceptions or changes are incorporated
• It may be possible to reduce complexity by collapsing/compressing/combining/consolidating elements and by removing non-value-adding, duplicate, redundant activities
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Necessary And Unnecessary Complexity
• When unnecessary or accreted complexity in the problem being solved has been removed, you are left with necessary complexity that must be incorporated into the solution
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Necessary/Core Complexity After Unnecessary Complexity Removed
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Necessary Complexity Cannot Be Reduced
Pressure to Reduce Complexity
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Uncompressible Complexity
Attempts To Reduce Complexity Will Give Rise To Increased Complexity Elsewhere
Uncompressible Complexity Resembles A Waterbed – Push Down In One Location And The Level Will Rise Elsewhere
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Ashby’s* Law Of Requisite Variety
• Complexity is needed to handle and process complexity
• Only complexity can implement complexity
• The necessary/core complexity of the problem being solved governs and guides the scope of the complexity of the solution
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* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Ross_Ashbyhttp://www.rossashby.info/index.html
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Problem and Solution Complexity
• Beware of attempts to oversimplify problems and their solutions to attempt to save time and resources
• Beware of attempts to introduce unnecessary complexity into simple problems that mean wasted time and resources
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Complex problems do not have simple
solutions
Simple problems have simple
solutions
Simple
Complex problems have complex
solutionsComplex
Simple problems do
not have complex solutions
Simple
Complex
Problem
Solution
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Failure To Address Complexity And Solution Failure
• Complexity factor of the proposed solution must match the complexity factor of the problem being resolved
• Many system implementation and operational failures arise because of failure to understand and address the core complexity of the problem
• Underlying complexity is all to frequently ignored or misrepresented
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AGILE!AGILE!AGILE!AGILE!
CLOUD!CLOUD!CLOUD!CLOUD!
Beware Of Snake-Oil Salesmen Peddling Quick-Win Panaceas To Complex Problems
Don’t be confused by approaches to
implementation or operation (the How) with
the complexity of what has to be done (the
What) and how it needs to operate in the long
term
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More Information
Alan McSweeney
http://ie.linkedin.com/in/alanmcsweeney